I’m not going to tell you that these are the world’s best oatmeal cookies. I won’t tell you that this is the only recipe you’ll ever need until the end of time. I’m not going to tell you that I’m omg obsessed or anything like that.
I will tell you that I was trying to re-frame cookies into my everyday life. What’s the cookie that I want to eat everyday, any time of day, with hot coffee or cold milk? What’s the cookie that might give me a little second-cup-of-coffee-mid-morning-treat energy? What’s the cookie that I could offer someone that drops by? What’s the cookie that’s hearty enough, and chocolate-y enough to satisfy a craving in one cookie, not a cookie binge?
Well… I didn’t tell you all this because I failed. We’ve arrived. This is the cookie – hearty but chewy, sweet with a bite of salt, loaded with nuts and chocolate. It hits all the spots and we’re in it for the everyday.
We’re making cookies!! You could totally add this to your meal prep situation, don’t you think? Here’s what we’ll need. It’s just enough to be a whole lotta good:
• Oats – I like the heartiness of old-fashion oats but if you want a softer cookie, go for quick oats.
• Brown Sugar and Butter – queens.
• Egg for binding.
• All kinds of fruit and nuts: dried cranberries, toasted pecans, and roasted and salted pepitas.
• Spiced, too! Warming winter spices.
• Chocolate, OF COURSE.
Into the bowl with softened butter and brown sugar. I used a set of electric hand beaters and whipped the two together.
We’ll need an egg for binding though you could certainly make a flax or chia seed egg for these cookies. The seeds would blend in well with the rest of the heartiness.
I went extra spicy for these cookies. Cinnamon and freshly grated nutmeg, of course. But why not add a side of ground ginger and allspice for warmth? You could, you should.
The dry ingredients are lightly whisked further and added to the creamed butter, sugar, and eggs.
You know how cookies go – this is just like that!
Lots of those oats.
And lots of everything else your flavor-brain wants: dried cranberries or dried blueberries, roasted salted pepitas (they’re pumpkin seeds!), roasted pecans, and lots of chocolate chips – YES!
Get it all together.
It’s understandable if there’s spillage or a few oats go flying. We’re done with the hand beaters though, just go in with a spatula here.
It’s also totally understandable to nip a few tastes of cookie dough out of the bowl. It’s living on the edge because wait… we’re not supposed to eat raw flour now, or eggs, and sometimes spinach, and we’re not supposed to hold our phones to our heads or our ovaries, and definitely don’t stare at the sun or swim in a dark lake… listen it’s hard to keep track of everything, let’s just do our best.
I dolloped the dough right onto a parchment lined baking sheet just after the dough came together. It didn’t need to rest in the refrigerator because there’s really so much in this dough.
Scoop generous dough balls onto parchment lined baking sheets and flatten the cookie slightly, giving it a little spread before it hits the oven. After a cozy 12 minutes in the oven the cookies will be lightly golden around their edges.
Salty and sweet and chocolate studded and just everything I want to eat. And – these cookies keep their chewy bite for days! I keep them around, wrapped and ready and I humble suggest you do too.
Jon and I took these photos for you.

Weekday Oatmeal and Everything Cookies
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 12
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 1x
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 2/3 cup light or dark brown sugar, lightly packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup toasted pecans, chopped
- 1/2 cup roasted and salted pepitas
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine softened butter and brown sugar. Beat together using an electric hand beater until slightly more pale and fluffy. This will take about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add egg and beat until thoroughly combined.. Add the vanilla extract and beat until blended.
- In a small bowl whisk together flour baking soda, spices, and salt.
- Add the flour mixture to the butter and egg mixture slowly beating on low speed until just incorporated.
- Stir in the oats, cranberries, pecans, pipits, and chocolate chips.
- Place racks in the middle and upper third of the oven. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Bake for 10 to 13 minutes or until they’ve reached your desired doneness. I like mine a little underdone and cook them for 10 to 11 minutes. Allow to cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Or you could just eat them warm. That’s probably the best idea. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 6 days, if they last that long.
Eleanor
Joy, you’ve done it again. These truly are a perfect “anytime” cookie (“second-cup-of-coffee-mid-morning-treat” – you get it :)) and probably the best oatmeal cookie recipe I’ve made in a while, maybe ever. I love all the spices that are included, they add so much wonderful flavor, and the nuts/seeds/chocolate/fruit combo is perfect. Thank you for an awesome recipe!
John Popovich
Just made these again. Turned out even better as I followed the recipe more closely. These will be a treat at the Seniors Centre. Thanks for such a great recipe. I love the things you do.
Donna Smith
I thought you were kidding about these being the “World’s Best” … until I made them. I’m now a believer. Thanks for a great recipe.
Beth
Oh Joy, these made my day! Perfect for our rainy, stormy day here in CA. They are incredibly delicious. The addition of spices really enhances them…thank you! :)
Kelsey @ Appeasing a Food Geek
These look beyond amazing! I’ve just started to get into oatmeal cookies–hooray for no raisins in these. Very into that ;) xo
The Kitten Abides
I’m not really a dried fruit person (texture issue), but I’ll just leave those out . . . otherwise these look tootin’ tasty! Can’t wait to make them this next week, now that we’re finally exiting Post-Mardi Gras Recovery. Thanks, Joy!
Nancy
Hey Joy,
These cookies look awesome so I’m off to the bulk store to pick up some pepitas. Just out of curiosity, why not toss it into the stand mixer instead of the hand mixer?
Vickie
Yum – I baked a batch of these yesterday & they went down very well :)
Used dried apricots + walnuts because I didn’t have cranberries or pecans.
Amanda
I got so excited to make these, I forgot I didn’t have any chocolate chips — the horror! I forged ahead, and they were delicious just the same :)
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oatmeal cookies really it is totally new for me . I will surely try it on this weekend.Thanks for sharing ingredients.
Liz
I don’t see the Print button either! Help!
Ivory
These cookies looks amazing, and I am just they taste just as yummy, yummy, yummy
Liz
These remind me very much of cookies my mom made when I was younger.. she called them cowboy cookies. Delicious!
Leda
These are delicious! Perfect recipe for a healthy-ish cookie. I love how hearty they are with all the oats, seeds, and nuts! Thanks joy!
Sharmeen
I thought I was the only one that had biscuit binges. Sometimes I cannot help myself especially when there’s hot tea too. It’s my resolution not to have any this year so will definitely make these when I have the urge.